Meter driving device

ABSTRACT

A meter driving device  1  includes a meter (a combination meter)  6  including state display units (first and second analog display units and a digital display unit)  6   b,    6   c , and  6   d  that display vehicle states, control means (first control means and second control means)  4   a  and  6   a  for inputting state signals indicating the vehicle states, calculating vehicle state data on the basis of the state signals, and causing the state display units  6   b,    6   c , and  6   d  to operate on the basis of the vehicle state data, and storing means (a memory card)  4   b  for storing the vehicle state data and data other than the vehicle state data during a predetermined time in synchronization with each other.

Related Application

This application is the U.S. National Phase under 35 U.S.C. § 371 ofInternational Application No. PCT/JP2005/007009, filed on Apr 11, 2005,which in turn claims the benefit of Japanese Application No.2004-130245, filed on Apr 26, 2004, the disclosures of whichApplications are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a meter driving device that displaysvehicle states using a state display unit such as a running speed of avehicle and an engine speed using an analog display unit or a digitaldisplay unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, as a vehicle meter, there are, for example, a metermounted as a combination meter including a speedometer, a tachometer (aTA meter), a temperature gauge, a fuel gauge, and the like, and amanifold pressure gauge (a boost gauge), an exhaust temperatureindicator, or a fuel pressure indicator that is often mounted on avehicle running in a circuit and the like and a vehicle with asupercharger or a turbocharger. Such meters detect various vehiclestates using various sensors, an ignition pulse (a TA pulse), a speedpulse (a SP pulse), and the like and display the various vehicle statesusing a state display unit such as an analog display unit or a digitaldisplay unit.

In such meters, in particular, meters included in a vehicle running in acircuit or the like, in order to grasp a running state in a race, ameter capable of storing vehicle states during a predetermined time orcausing the state display unit to operate to reproduce and display thevehicle states in the past stored is desired.

Thus, the applicant has proposed, in a Patent Document 1, a meterdriving device that detects vehicle states and displays the vehiclestates using state display units, the meter driving device includingstoring means for storing, for a predetermined time, data for causingthe state display units to perform a display operation according to thevehicle states and including reproducing means for causing the statedisplay units to perform a display operation according to the datastored in the storing means.

According to the meter driving device disclosed in the Patent Document1, a user can visually check vehicle states in the past at the time ofrunning in the same manner as a usual operation and, in particular, canreview driving of the user in a race and examine improvement of a racetime by storing the vehicle states during a predetermined time in a timetrial, a circuit race, or the like and reproducing the vehicle states.The user can grasp running characteristics of a vehicle such as engineperformance at the time of running and obtain information for adjustingvehicle components such as an engine.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2000-46588

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems that the Invention is to Solve

However, in the meter driving device that has a function of storing thevehicle states during the predetermined time, only measurement dataindicating the vehicle states is stored. The user has to recall otherkinds of information such as a course on which the vehicle ran duringthe predetermined time, a steering angle of a steering wheel, and thelike and supplement a running state of the vehicle with a memory of theuser. There is a room of improvement for a function of obtaining datafor reflecting on driving of the user and adjusting vehicle components.

In view of the improvement, it is an object of the invention to furtherimprove a meter driving device that has a function of storing vehiclestates during a predetermined time when a vehicle runs and provide ameter driving device that allows a user to check a running state of thevehicle during the predetermined time in detail later.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to solve the problems, a meter driving device according to theinvention is characterized by including state display units that displayvehicle states, control means for inputting state signals indicating thevehicle states, calculating vehicle state data indicating measurementvalues of the vehicle states on the basis of the state signals, andcausing the state display units to operate on the basis of the vehiclestate data, and storing means for storing the vehicle state data anddata other than the vehicle state data during a predetermined time insynchronization with each other.

The meter driving device is characterized by further including firstcontrol means serving as the control means for inputting the statesignals, calculating the vehicle state data on the basis of the statesignals, and transmitting the vehicle state data and second controlmeans serving as the control means for receiving the vehicle state dataand causing the state display units to operate according to the vehiclestate data.

The meter driving device is characterized in that the control means isprovided such that vehicle information data, which is not usuallydisplayed by the state display units, can be inputted thereto and thestoring means stores the vehicle information data during thepredetermined time as the other data.

The meter driving device is characterized in that the control means isprovided such that image data indicating images around the vehicle canbe inputted thereto and the storing means stores the image data duringthe predetermined time as the other data.

The meter driving device is characterized in that the control means isprovided such that map data and position data of the vehicle can beinputted thereto and the storing means stores the map data and theposition data during the predetermined time as the other data.

The meter driving device is characterized in that the control means isprovided such that environment data indicating an environment around thevehicle can be inputted thereto and the storing means stores theenvironment data during the predetermined time as the other data.

The meter driving device is characterized by further including a housingsection that removably houses the storing means.

The meter driving device is characterized in that the control meansincludes a transmitting unit that is capable of transmitting the vehiclestate data and the other data stored in the storing means to otherdevices.

The meter driving device is characterized by further including operatingmeans that has a single operation switch or plural operation switchesand that the control means causes the storing means to store the vehiclestate data and the other data on the basis of predetermined operation ofthe operating means.

The meter driving device is characterized in that the control means isprovided such that a magnetism detection signal from magnetism detectingmeans for detecting magnetism of a magnet embedded in a road surface canbe inputted thereto and causes the storing means to store the vehiclestate data and the other data according to an input of the magnetismdetection signal.

The meter driving device is characterized by further including operatingmeans that has a single operation switch or plural operation switchesand in that the control means causes the state display units to operateon the basis of the vehicle state data stored in the storing means onthe basis of predetermined operation of the operating means.

The meter driving device is characterized in that the control means isprovided to be connectable to a display device and causes the displaydevice to display information based on the other data stored in thestoring means in synchronization with operations of the state displayunits.

Effects of the Invention

The invention relates to a meter driving device that displays vehiclestates such as a running speed of a vehicle and an engine speed using astate display unit such as an analog display unit or a digital displayunit. It is possible to further improve a meter driving device that hasa function of storing vehicle states during a predetermined when thevehicle runs. A user can check a running state of the vehicle during thepredetermined time in detail later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of a meterdriving device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external appearance of the meter drivingdevice;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a control method in a synchronous storagefunction of the meter driving device; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control method in a synchronousreproduction function of the meter driving device.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS

-   1 Meter driving device-   2 First inputting means-   2 a Vehicle speed sensor-   2 b Signal line-   2 c Water temperature sensor-   2 d Oil temperature sensor-   2 e Supercharging pressure sensor-   3 Second inputting means-   3 a Acceleration sensor-   3 b Steering angle sensor-   3 c Throttle position sensor-   3 d Outdoor temperature sensor,-   4 Control unit-   4 a First control means (Control means)-   4 b Memory card (Storing means)-   4 c Unit case-   4 d Card slot-   5 Switch unit (Operating means)-   5 a Switch case-   5 b Push button switches-   6 Combination meter (meter)-   6 a Second control means (Control means)-   6 b First analog display unit (State display unit)-   6 b 1 Pointer-   6 b 2 Analog indicator unit-   6 c Second analog display unit (State display unit)-   6 c 1 Pointer-   6 c 2 Analog indicator unit-   6 d Digital display unit (State display unit)-   6 e Meter case-   6 f First driver-   6 g Second driver-   6 h Dial plate-   A Imaging device-   B Display device

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention will be hereinafter explained on thebasis of the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an electric structure in a meter driving device 1. FIG. 2shows an external appearance of the meter driving device 1.

The meter driving device 1 mainly includes first inputting means 2,second inputting means 3, a control unit 4 that has first control means(control means) 4 a and a memory card (storing means) 4 b, a switch unit(operating means) 5, and a combination meter 6 that has second controlmeans (control means) 6 a, a first analog display unit 6 b, a secondanalog display unit 6 c, and a digital display unit 6 d.

The first inputting means 2 includes various sensors and a signal linefor detecting vehicle states to be displayed in the first and secondanalog display units 6 b and 6 c and the digital display unit 6 d,namely, a vehicle speed sensor 2 a, a signal line 2 b for inputting apulse signal (hereinafter referred to as TA pulse) from an ignitioncoil, a water temperature sensor 2 c, an oil temperature sensor 2 d, anda supercharging pressure sensor 2 e. The first inputting means 2 outputsrespective state signals indicating the vehicle states to the firstcontrol means 4 a.

The second inputting means 3 includes various sensors for detectinginformation other than the vehicle states, namely, an accelerationsensor 3 a, a steering angle sensor 3 b, a throttle position sensor 3 c,and an outdoor temperature sensor 3 d. The second inputting means 3outputs respective detection signals to the control means 4. Theacceleration sensor 3 a, the steering angle sensor 3 b, and the throttleposition sensor 3 c detect, as the other information, vehicleinformation other than the vehicle states usually displayed in thecombination meter 6. The acceleration sensor 3 a detects accelerationapplied to the vehicle during running. The steering angle sensor 3 bdetects an angle of steering wheel operation of the vehicle. Thethrottle position sensor 3 c detects an angle of a throttle valve of anengine that changes according to operation of an accelerator. Theoutdoor temperature sensor 3 d detects an outdoor temperature, which isan environment around the vehicle, as the other information.

In the control unit 4, as shown in FIG. 2, the first control means 4 aand the memory card 4 b are housed in a unit case 4 c made of a resinmaterial or the like. The memory card 4 b is disposed to be removablyinsertable into a card slot (a housing section) 4 d formed in the unitcase 4 c. The control unit 4 includes a connecting section (not shown)for connecting the control unit 4 to an imaging device A such as a CCDcamera, which is disposed on a dashboard of the vehicle and photographsan image in front of the vehicle, and a display device B such as aliquid crystal display. The control unit 4 is connected to the imagingdevice A and the display device B. In this embodiment, it is alsopossible that a connecting section for connecting the control unit 4 toa cellular phone with a camera is provided in the control unit 4, a CCDcamera included in the cellular phone is used as the imaging device A,and a display section, which is capable of reproducing a moving image,included in the cellular phone is used as the display device B.

The first control means 4 a consists mainly of a microcomputer. Thefirst control means 4 a includes an inputting unit that inputs therespective state signals from the first inputting means 2 or thedetection signal from the second inputting means 3, a CPU that executesa predetermined processing operation program, a ROM having storedtherein the processing operation program or the like, a RAM thattemporarily stores data or the like processed by the CPU, a storing unitconsisting of an EEPROM, a backup RAM, or the like that stores data suchas a setting value concerning a display function of the combinationmeter 6 in a nonvolatile manner, and a transmitting unit that transmitsthe data calculated by the CPU at a predetermined period. When therespective state signals from the first inputting means 2 are inputted,the first control means 4 a performs predetermined arithmetic processingaccording to the respective state signals and calculates respectivevehicle state data, which is measurement data of the vehicle state,converts the respective vehicle state data into serial data, andtransmits the serial data to the second control means 7. When therespective detection signals from the second inputting means 3 areinputted, the first control means 4 a performs predetermined arithmeticprocessing according to the respective detection signals and calculates(inputs) vehicle information data (acceleration data, throttle positiondata, and steering angle data), which are measurement data of thevehicle information, and environment data (outdoor temperature data.)indicating an environment around the vehicle. Image data is inputted tothe first control means 4 a from the imaging device A. As a method ofinputting image data, it is also possible that an image signal isinputted to the first control means 4 a from the imaging device A andthe first control means 4 a generates image data indicating an imagephotographed by the imaging device A on the basis of this image signal.

The first control means 4 a has a synchronous storage function forcausing the memory card 4 b to store the respective measurement data andthe other data during a predetermined time in synchronization with eachother. “The other data” indicates data other than the respective vehiclestate data for causing the first and the second analog display units 6 band 6 c and the digital display unit 6 d of the combination meter 6 todisplay the vehicle states. In this embodiment, the other data indicatesthe vehicle information data, the environment data, and the image data.The first control means has a synchronous reproduction function forcausing the first and the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c andthe digital display unit 6 d of the combination meter 6 to performdisplay operations on the basis of the respective measurement datastored in the memory card 4 b according to the synchronous storagefunction and causing the display device B to display information otherthan the vehicle states on the basis of the other data insynchronization with the display operations.

The memory card 4 b is small storing means having a flash memory capableof writing and reading data provided in a case body. As shown in FIG. 2,the memory card 4 b is disposed removably insertable into the card slot4 d and connected to the first control means 4 a. The memory card 4 bstores the respective measurement data and the other data insynchronization with each other according to writing processing of thefirst control means 4 a.

In the switch unit 5, as shown in FIG. 2, plural push button switches 5b are disposed in a switch case 5 a made of a resin material or thelike. The switch unit 5 is a switch unit for switching display contentof the digital display unit 6 d of the combination meter 6, decidingstart or end of an operation of a storage function, setting a storagetime in the storage function, deciding start or end of an operation in areproduction function, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the combination meter 6 has the second control means6 a, the first analog display unit 6 b, the second analog display unit 6c, and the digital display unit 6 d provided in the meter case 6 e madeof a resin material or the like. The combination meter 6 is set on thedashboard of the vehicle, a steering wheel column cover, or the like. Adisplay surface side of the combination meter 6 is covered with a coverbody (not shown) made of a translucent resin material or the like.

The second control means 6 a consists mainly of a microcomputerincluding a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The second control means 6 a has areceiving unit that receives the respective vehicle state datatransmitted from the first control means 4 a, outputs a driving signalto the first and the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c via a firstdriver 6 f on the basis of the respective vehicle state data received tocause the first and the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c toperform display operations indicating the vehicle states, and outputs adriving signal to the digital display unit 6 d via a second driver 6 gto cause the digital display unit 6 d to display the vehicle states.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first and the second analog display units 6 band 6 c have pointers 6 b 1 and 6 c 1 and analog indicator units 6 b 2and 6 c 2. Comparative reading of the pointers 6 b 1 and 6 c 1 and theanalog indicator units 6 b 2 and 6 c 2 allows the user to read thevehicle states. In this embodiment, the first analog display unit 6 bdisplays an engine speed in a range of 0 rpm to 11000 rpm as the vehiclestates. The second analog display unit 6 c displays a superchargingpressure of the engine in a range of −80 kPa to 300 kPa as the vehiclestates. The respective pointers 6 b 1 and 6 c 1 rotate via rotationshafts of a driving body (not shown) consisting of a stepping motor anda cross coil. The respective analog indicator units 6 b 2 and 6 c 2 areprinted and formed on a dial plate 6 h and have plural indicatorsconsisting of scales, numbers, and the like and provided in asubstantially arcuate shape.

The digital display unit 6 d consists of, for example, an organic ELdisplay. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital display unit 6 d displays theplural vehicle states according to number display. In FIG. 2, a runningspeed of the vehicle, a water temperature, and an oil temperature aredisplayed as the vehicle states. The vehicle states displayed on thedigital display unit 6 d can be switched according to predeterminedoperation of the switch unit 5 by the user.

The meter driving device 1 according to the invention is constituted bythe units described above.

A method of driving the meter driving device 1 in the synchronousstorage function will be explained using FIG. 3.

In a usual operation mode, the first control means 4 a is inputted withthe respective state signals from the first inputting means 2,calculates the respective vehicle state data according to the respectivestate signals, and transmits the respective vehicle state data to thesecond control means 7. The second control means 4 a causes the firstand the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c and the digital displayunit 6 d to perform display operations for displaying the vehicle statesaccording to the respective vehicle state data received. The firstcontrol means 4 a judges in step S1 whether predetermined storageoperation for starting the synchronous storage function of the switchunit 5 is inputted. When the storage operation is not inputted, thefirst control means 4 a continues the usual operation mode. When thestorage operation is inputted, the first control means 4 a shifts tostep S2.

The first control means 4 a continues the usual operation mode andperforms, in step S2, writing processing for writing the respectivevehicle state data and the other data calculated during a predeterminedtime in the memory card 4 b in synchronization with each other.

The first control means 4 a judges in step S3 whether predeterminedrelease operation for releasing the synchronous storage function of theswitch unit 5 is inputted. When the release operation is inputted, evenif the predetermined time has not elapsed, the first control means 4 asuspends the writing processing and releases the synchronous storagefunction.

When the release operation is not inputted in step S3, the first controlmeans 4 a judges in step S4 whether the writing processing has beenperformed for the predetermined time. When the predetermined time hasnot elapsed, the first control means 4 a continues the writingprocessing. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the first controlmeans 4 a ends the writing processing and releases the synchronousstorage function.

By performing the processing described above, the first control means 4a can cause the memory card 4 b to store the other data during thepredetermined time in synchronization with a change with time of therespective vehicle state data during the predetermined time.

A method of driving the meter driving device 1 in the synchronousreproduction function will be explained using FIG. 4.

In the usual operation mode, the first control means 4 a is inputtedwith the respective state signals from the first inputting means 2,calculates the respective vehicle state data according to the respectivestate signals, and transmits the respective vehicle state data to thesecond control means 6 a of the combination meter 6. The second controlmeans 4 a causes the first and the second analog display units 6 b and 6c and the digital display unit 6 d to perform a display operation fordisplaying the vehicle states according to the respective vehicle statedata received. The first control means 4 a judges in step S5 whetherpredetermined reproduction operation for starting the synchronousreproduction function of the switch unit 5 is inputted. When thereproduction operation is not inputted, the first control means 4 acontinues the usual operation mode. When the reproduction operation isinputted, the first control means 4 a shifts to step S6.

In step S6, the first control means 4 a releases the usual operationmode and performs reading processing for reading the respective vehiclestate data and the other data stored in the memory card 4 b.

Moreover, the first control means 4 a transmits the respective vehiclestate data read from the memory card 4 b to the second control means 4 aof the combination meter 6 (step S7). The second control means 4 acauses the first and the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c and thedigital display unit 6 d to perform reproduction operations fordisplaying the vehicle states in the past according to the respectivevehicle state data received. The first control means 4 a causes thedisplay device B to display information based on the other data insynchronization with the reproduction operations of the first and thesecond analog display units 6 b and 6 c and the digital display unit 6d. In this embodiment, acceleration applied to the vehicle, a throttleposition, a steering angle of a steering wheel, an outdoor temperature,and an image in front of the vehicle are reproduced and displayed on thedisplay device B.

The first control means 4 a judges in step S8 whether predeterminedrelease operation for releasing the synchronous reproduction function ofthe switch unit 5 is inputted. When the release operation is inputted,even before all the vehicle state data and the other data stored in thememory card 4 b are read or transmitted, the first control means 4 asuspends the reading processing and transmission of the data, releasesthe synchronous reproduction function, and shifts to the usual operationmode.

When the release operation is not inputted in step S8, the first controlmeans 4 a judges in step S9 whether all the vehicle state data stored inthe memory card 4 b have been transmitted. When all the vehicle statedata have not been transmitted, the first control means 4 a continuesthe reading processing, the transmission processing, and the displaycontrol for the display device B. When all the vehicle state data havebeen transmitted, the first control means 4 a ends the readingprocessing, the transmission processing, and the display control for thedisplay device B to release the synchronous reproduction function andshifts to the usual operation mode.

By performing the processing described above, the first control means 4a can cause the combination meter 6 and the display device B toreproduce and display information based on the other data insynchronization with a change with time of the respective vehicle statesduring the predetermined time in the past.

Such a meter driving device 1 includes the combination meter 6 havingthe first and the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c and thedigital display unit 6 d that display the respective vehicle states, thefirst control means 4 a that inputs the respective state signalsindicating the respective vehicle states, calculates the respectivevehicle state data on the basis of the respective state signals, andtransmits the respective vehicle state data, the second control means 6a that receives the respective vehicle state data and causes the firstand the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c and the digital displayunit 6 d to operate according to the respective vehicle state data, andthe memory card 4 b that stores the respective vehicle state data andthe data other than the respective vehicle state data during thepredetermined time. The meter driving device 1 further includes theswitch unit 5 that has the plural operation switches 5 b. The firstcontrol means 4 a causes the memory card 4 b to store the respectivevehicle state data and the other data on the basis of the storageoperation of the switch unit 5.

According to the constitution described above, the meter driving device1 can obtain various kinds of information concerning a running state ofthe vehicle in the past by causing the memory card 4 b to store,together with the vehicle states such as a running speed of the vehicle,an engine speed, and a supercharging pressure displayed by thecombination meter 6, the data other than the vehicle states insynchronization with the vehicle states. This allows the user to check arunning state of the vehicle during the predetermined time in detaillater.

The first control means 4 a is provided such that the vehicleinformation data, which is not usually displayed by the combinationmeter 6, can be inputted thereto. The memory card 4 b stores the vehicleinformation data during the predetermined time as the other data.Therefore, it is possible to store vehicle information such asacceleration applied to the vehicle, a throttle position, and a steeringangle of a steering wheel during the predetermined time insynchronization with the vehicle states in the past. The user can checkin detail in what kind of state the vehicle was in a running state inthe past without supplementation by memory of the user. The vehicleinformation data is not limited to this embodiment and may be, forexample, presence or absence of actuation of a brake.

The first control means 4 a is provided such that the image data fromthe imaging device A, which photographs images around the vehicle, canbe inputted thereto. The memory card 4 b stores the image data duringthe predetermined time as the other data. Therefore, it is possible tostore images of a running course of the vehicle in synchronization withthe vehicle states in the past. The user can check in detail in whatkind of course the vehicle ran without supplementation by memory of theuser. The image to be photographed may be an image on a side of thevehicle or an image behind the vehicle other than the image in front ofthe vehicle.

The first control means 4 a is provided such that the environment dataindicating an environment around the vehicle can be inputted thereto.The memory card 4 b stores the environment data during the predeterminedtime as the other data. Therefore, it is possible to store anenvironment around the vehicle such as an outdoor temperature during thepredetermined time. The user can check in detail in what kind ofenvironment of a place the vehicle ran in a running state in the pastwithout supplementation by memory of the user. The environment data isnot limited to this embodiment and may be, for example, a state of aroad surface (a road surface temperature or whether the road surface iswet) or the weather.

In the meter driving device 1, the portable memory card 4 b is used asstoring means for storing the respective vehicle state data and theother data. The card slot 4 d that stores the memory card 4 b to beremovable to the outside is provided in the control unit 4. Therefore,it is possible to easily carry out the vehicle states and the other datain the running in the past to the outside. This makes it possible toeasily perform copying, storage, and reproduction of the data.

The first control means 4 a transmits the vehicle state data stored inthe storing means to the second control means 6 a on the basis of thereproduction operation of the switch unit 5. The second control means 6a causes the first and the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c andthe digital display unit 6 d to perform reproduction operations on thebasis of the vehicle state data received. The control means is providedto be connectable to the display device and causes the display device todisplay information based on the other data stored in the storing meansin synchronization with operations of state display units. Therefore,the user can check the vehicle states in the running in the pastaccording to a display operation that is the same as the usual operationof the combination meter 6. This makes it possible to check the vehiclestates in the past in a state close to the running in the past. Thecontrol means is provided to be connectable to the display device B.Information based on the other data is displayed on the display device Bin synchronization with the display operation of the combination meter6. Thus, it is possible to check information other than the vehiclestates simultaneously with the vehicle states in a state closer to therunning in the past. This makes it possible to improve merchantabilityof the meter driving device.

In this embodiment, the meter driving device 1 has the two controlmeans, namely, the first control means 4 a that is provided in thecontrol unit 4 as the control means, transmits the respective vehiclestate data, and causes the memory card 4 b to store the respectivevehicle state data and the other data during the predetermined time andthe second control means 6 a that receives the respective vehicle statedata and causes the first and the second analog display units 6 b and 6c and the digital display unit 6 d of the combination meter 6 to performdisplay operations. However, the meter driving device set forth in claim1 of the invention may be a meter driving device that includes singlecontrol means for inputting state signals indicating vehicle states,calculating vehicle state data on the basis of the state signals,causing state display units to operate on the basis of the vehicle statedata, and causing storing means to store the vehicle state data and dataother than the vehicle state data during a predetermined time.

In this embodiment, the control unit 4 that has the first control means4 a and the memory card 4 b and the combination meter 6 that has thefirst and the second analog display units 6 b and 6 c and the digitaldisplay unit 6 d are separately provided. However, the meter drivingdevice according to the invention may be a meter driving device in whichcontrol means, storing means, and a meter that has state display unitsare provided in a single case body.

The meter driving device according to the invention is not limited tothis embodiment. For example, the invention is also applicable to ameter driving device proposed by the applicant in JP-A-10-183523. Such ameter driving device includes first control means for calculatingrespective vehicle state data from plural state signals indicatingvehicle states and a one-package type meter having one state displayunit housed in a signal case body. The first control means converts therespective vehicle state data into serial data and transmits the serialdata to second control means housed in the case body. The second controlmeans controls the meter on the basis of the serial data received.

The meter driving device according to the invention may be a meterdriving device in which, as set forth in claim 5, control means isconnected to, for example, a navigation device, the control means isprovided such that map data of running of the vehicle and position dataof the vehicle can be inputted thereto from the navigation device, andstoring means stores vehicle state data during a predetermined time andthe map data and the position data during the predetermined time as theother data in synchronization with each other. Such a meter drivingdevice can store a position of the vehicle on the map data during thepredetermined time in synchronization with the vehicle states in thepast. A user can check in detail later on the map data what kind ofcourse the vehicle ran in a running state in the past withoutsupplementation by memory of the user.

The meter driving device according to the invention may be a meterdriving device that includes, as set forth in claim 8, a transmittingunit that is capable of transmitting, by connecting control means toother devices such as a cellular phone and a personal computer by wireor radio, vehicle state data and other data stored in storing means tothe other devices. With such a meter driving device, it is possible toeasily carry out the vehicle state data and the other data in therunning in the past to the outside. This makes it possible to easilyperform copying, storage, and reproduction of the data.

In the meter driving device 1 according to this embodiment, the firstcontrol means 4 a causes the memory card 4 b to store the respectivevehicle state data and the other data according to the storage operationof the switch unit 5. However, the meter driving device according to theinvention may be a meter driving device in which, as set forth in claim10, magnetism detecting means for detecting magnetism of a magnetembedded in a road surface located in, for example, a start line of acircuit is provided in a vehicle and control means inputs a lap signal(a magnetism detection signal) from the magnetism detecting means andcauses storing means to store vehicle state data and other data insynchronization with each other according to an input of the lap signal.In other words, the control means performs start and release ofprocessing for writing the vehicle state data and the other data in thestoring means according to an input of the lap signal. Such a meterdriving device can cause the storing means to easily store the vehiclestate data and the other data during a predetermined time withoutperforming operation of switches or the like in a circuit or the like.This makes it possible to improve merchantability of the meter drivingdevice.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention is applied to a meter driving device that displays vehiclestates such as a running speed of a vehicle and an engine speed using astate display unit such as an analog display unit or a digital displayunit.

1. A meter driving device, characterized by comprising: a meterincluding state display units that display vehicle states; control meansfor inputting state signals indicating the vehicle states, calculatingvehicle state data indicating measurement values of the vehicle stateson the basis of the state signals, and causing the state display unitsto operate on the basis of the vehicle state data; and storing means forstoring the vehicle state data and data other than the vehicle statedata during a predetermined time in synchronization with each other. 2.The meter driving device according to claim 1, characterized by furthercomprising: first control means serving as the control means forinputting the state signals, calculating the vehicle state data on thebasis of the state signals, and transmitting the vehicle state data; andsecond control means serving as the control means for receiving thevehicle state data and causing the state display units to operateaccording to the vehicle state data.
 3. The meter driving deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the control means isprovided such that vehicle information data, which is not usuallydisplayed by the state display units, can be inputted thereto, and thestoring means stores the vehicle information data during thepredetermined time as the other data.
 4. The meter driving deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the control means isprovided such that image data indicating images around the vehicle canbe inputted thereto, and the storing means stores the image data duringthe predetermined time as the other data.
 5. The meter driving deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the control means isprovided such that map data and position data of the vehicle can beinputted thereto, and the storing means stores the map data and theposition data during the predetermined time as the other data.
 6. Themeter driving device according to claim 1, characterized in that thecontrol means is provided such that environment data indicating anenvironment around the vehicle can be inputted thereto, and the storingmeans stores the environment data during the predetermined time as theother data.
 7. The meter driving device according to claim 1,characterized by further comprising a housing section that removablyhouses the storing means.
 8. The meter driving device according to claim1, characterized in that the control means includes a transmitting Unitthat is capable of transmitting the vehicle state data and the otherdata stored in the storing means to other devices.
 9. The meter drivingdevice according to claim 1, characterized by further comprisingoperating means that has a single operation switch or plural operationswitches, and in that the control means causes the storing means tostore the vehicle state data and the other data on the basis ofpredetermined operation of the operating means.
 10. The meter drivingdevice according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means isprovided such that a magnetism detection signal from magnetism detectingmeans for detecting magnetism of a magnet embedded in a road surface canbe inputted thereto and causes the storing means to store the vehiclestate data and the other data according to an input of the magnetismdetection signal.
 11. The meter driving device according to claim 1,characterized by further comprising operating means that has a singleoperation switch or plural operation switches, and in that the controlmeans causes the state display units to operate on the basis of thevehicle state data stored in the storing means on the basis ofpredetermined operation of the operating means.
 12. The meter drivingdevice according to claim 11, characterized in that the control means isprovided to be connectable to a display device and causes the displaydevice to display information based on the other data stored in thestoring means in synchronization with operations of the state displayunits.